Automatic needle-feeding mechanism for talking machines



Jan. 13, 1931. H. A. DZIEWECZYNSKI 1,788,425

AUTOMATIC NEEDLE FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES Filed Dec, 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 Jan} 13, 1931- H. A. DZIEWECZYNSKI 1,788,425

10 NEEDLE FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES AUTOMAT Filed Dec. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 63 64 g'wuemtov Q 60 HuaaDzjrwEcz Y/VSK/ Patented Jan. 13, 1931 HUGO A. nzIEwEozYnsKI, or CLEVELAND, oHIo AUTOMATIC NEEDL -FEEDING MECHANISM roarn'nkrne MACHINES,

Application filed me be 19, 1927. Serial N.o. 241,069.

This invention is a stylus or needle holder and feeding mechanism"fortalking machines, phonographs and the like, and relates more particularly to an automatic stylus feeding 5 mechanism adapted to be supported upon the sound box of the talking machine to which it is applied. g a

One object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated wherein a re- 4 19 ciprocable plunger functions to force'needles successively from a magazine into the needle" holder, there being associated With said plunger meansto prevent jamming of the needles either in the magazine or ,in the 15 holder. 3 e h Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic stylus feeding apparatus which. will operate to eject a'used needle or stylus from the stylus holder as a new needle is being inserted therein. f

A further objectof the invention is to provide a needle holder in which needles may be inserted and removed eithermanually or automatically and in which means are provided fol-adjusting the degree of frictional tension applied to the needles to retain them securely within the needle holder. 1

These and other objects of, the invention will became apparent from a reading of the 30 following specification, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein 3 Fig. 1 is an. elevation of the apparatus mounted in operative position upon the sound box of a reproducing machine, with the cover or casing removed. i i

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken 22 of Fig; 1. I V g g Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the me 46 dle or stylus holder. i

on the line the plunger in its lowermost. position, the cover beingshown in place and broken away to disclose the parts within. v p Fig. 5 is anenlarged sectionalview taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;, showing the'assembly of the needle magazine within the zine support. 1

Fig. 6 1s a'detail perspective view of aj'nee} dle magazine.

ceive a needle magazine 8, to be referred to the open fro'nt wall; thereof to engage the Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective View of, the plunger regulating ratchetsprmg;

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the relative i positions of the segmental gear and ratchet spring as the plunger is being retracted.

Fig. 9 is an'enlarged perspective view of the stylus clamping block.

Referring more particularly tothe accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral 1 indicates generally a sound box of any approved construction, having the I usual elbow or nipple 2 for attachment to the tone'arm of the machine, and a diaphragmfi. The diaphragm may be; mounted upon. the sound box in any convenient manner, said mounting means conveniently including a i ring member 4, to which is secured a plateor disk 5 upon which is mounted the apparatus forming the essential features of the present invention, itbeingapparent that by so mount- 7 ing the apparatus the same may be attached I to andremoved from sound boxes of general 7 construction, without necessitating the modificatlon thereof.

To'thisend the plate 5 carries a needle magazine support or slide 6, said support as shown'in Fig. 5, comprising'a relatively fiat,

rectangular tubular section 7, adapted to re-' more particularly hereinafter. The support 61s provided with a closed rear wall 9 and an open front wall, the edges-10,'10-of which arefiared outwardly toprovide apair of longitu'dinally extending flanges 11 upon which is slidingly mounteda follower 12'. The folcooperating with the flanges 11 of the imagezinesupport, whereby toretain the follower Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 1, showing m operatliveiengagementi'wlth the Support- The follower also carries ablock 14 which extends into the needle magazine 8 through needles therein contained andur'ge them towardtheforwardend of the magazine.

lower 12 carries complemental flanges 13-13 The magazine support or slide 6 is secured toflthe diskb'by suitable. boltsor screws 15 in a position'substantially at right angles to the vertical diameter of the disk, as clearly 5 shown in Figsl 1 and l, whereby'needles from the magazine 8 may be projected into the vertical needle holder 16, which will be more fully referred to hereinafter. Themagazine 8 as shown more clearly in Fig. 6, comprises a tubular sheet metal container substantially rectangular in form and having a closed rear wall 17 and an'open front wall, the latter being defined by inturnefd longitudinal flanges 18. The forwardend of the magazine is provided with an arcu'ate' stoprl9 designed V to form an abutmentagainst-:whiehtheneedles containedin the magazine are urged by the follower 12, hereinbefo-rereferred to and which operation will bemore fully described hereinafter. The magazine 8 is providedat its opposite extremity with .a down turned tang for facilitating the insertion and removal ofthe magazine 8 with respect to'z he magazine support or slide 6. fllurthermore,

-- itinay be found desirable to providesuitable locking tonguesQL, as shown in, dotted lines in'Fig. '6, for the purpose of preventingthe accideiitalrloss of needles from the open rear end oft-he magazine, it being apparentthat after "the magazine has been ,filled with needles the said tonguesQImay be bent down over thegopen rear end of themagazine. This expedient is-quite desirable when it is (316- sired to supply filled magazines-to the trade b as an article of commerce."

'fIt'iSftQ bGllOtGCl that the magazine '8 iscof a length such that when positioned in the magazine support 6- with the tang 2,0 abutting against the free endof the support the firstneedle inthe magazine, namely, the, one

within the arcuate stop oi-abutment 1931s flanges 11 at thefree extremity thereoflfin' order to provide for the reeeption oflthe tang 20 of themagazine. 8, it'beingapp'arent that r by sodesigning these elements, provision made for thelongitudinal extent of the flanges c 13 of the follower block 12 betweemthe'end o'f the magazine and the free end ofthemagaj zine support when a freshlyfilled magazine 'ha'sibeen inserted into thesupport. 1 Asshown in Fig. 5 the needles are arranged in the magazine 8 transversely-thereof andparallel-to one another withtl'ie-points down, and in order to successively ,feed the needles into proper position above the needle holder 16, the follower 12 is resiliently tensioned against the strip 7 of needles by means ofa flcxiblecordc23, preferablynon-metallic,

suclrascatgut or thelike, anda spring'roller' V I 1 provided which functions to lock the-operate ing lever 29 against countergcloclrwise rotation if said lever is released before theplung- V orreel 2%, the cord 23being secured-to the follower 12 in any -convenient manner, and

' i h r eqr inedabouta gu d pul gyi25, Efrem which it is carried and secured to the spring 7 roller 24, the latter being arranged upon a suitable spindle 26 secured to the disk 5, and designed, by reason of a coil spring 27, to maintain the cord 23 under a suitable degree of tension whereby the needles in the magazine 8zare constantly urged intoengage nent with thelabutment 19. I

The needle ejecting mechanism is arranged upon the disk 5 above the. magazine support, jfi-iztlntl a'CQIIlPli-lfiG-S ,a vertically reciprocable plunger 28 and an operating lever therefor,

l Th-eplunger-QS carries at its upper end a suitable rack 80 and is confined for vertical reciprocation by upper and lowerguide members 31'and. 32. Theupper-guide member :31 is shown as a. U-shaped sleeve member-having its open :face erected towardthe operating" lever 29, whereby theraclr 3O carried by the plungermay operatively engage a segmental gear33, carr ed by the adlacent extremityof the lever 29. The lower guide member.32-

may berof any suitable design, such=as will embrace thelower end of the plunger and retainthesame in substantially vertical alinement withthe opening 22 of tlieneedle maga-Zille antlthe needle groove 16 in the needle holder "16,, and is shownin the drawings as ,a perforatedflug carried by the di'skt. It'is apparent that either or both of the guide members 31 and 32 maybe formed of suitable sheet metal as separate elements and then se-y cured to the disk 5, or they may be stamped" fromthe disk itselfyifdesired, and this materially reduces the cost of manufacture without sacrific ngthe efiiclency of'operation'.

The operating lever 29 above'referred to,

ispivotally secured tothedisk 5 by a suitable stud 34, and a coilspring'35 is arranged about said stud with its opposite ends secured to the disk and lever at points 35 and35", respectively, said spring functioning to urge the lever for pivotal movement about the stud in a counter-clockwise direction so that the plunger may .be IllillIltZtlllQCl in an elevated position, as shown in Fig 1. It is, there-1 fore, apparent that upon. rotation of the lever 29 ina clockwise direction about'the Joe stud 3%, the plunger 28, dueto the engagement between the gear"38 and the" rack 81,

is moved vertically downward to theposition' shown in Fig. i, and thatwhen the-lever 29 is released the coil spring 35 will function't-o retract the plunger as above described. If desired a suitable lug or grip A may be con veniently provided on thering member 4, iii order "to ':facilitate' the operation of the le-' ver29. 7'

In order to regulate theniovement of -the plunger and insure a'full down stroke before :the coil spring 35 will be effective to retract the plunger, a I ratchet mechanism is erhas completed its full down. stroke." The ratchet mechanism Comprises an arcuate' seg mental rack 36 carrieolby the lever 29 anda cooperating spring detent 37 mounted upon the disk 5 and arranged to bear against the; rack 36. The'spring detent as shown in Fig.

7 comprises a plate 38 provided with suitable apertures or screw holes 39 which the same is secured to the disk 5, and as carrying an upstanding spring'arm 40. The spring arm 40 carries at its outer free extremity a laterally extending'tooth or wing ll 'ar ranged to engage the teeth of the rack 36. [is

shown in Fig. l the detent 37 is secured to the disk 5 in a manner such that the tooth or wing 41 of the arm 40 resiliently engages the rack 36, the teeth of which are so arranged as to form a'loclring engagement between the lever 29 and the detent 87 to pre vent counter-clockwise rotation of'the lever 29 when moved from the posltion shown in Fig. 1 to a position of less angular displace mentthan that shownin Fig. 4.

To ensure the release of the ratchet mecha-' nism upon a rotation of thelever 29 sufficient to cause a complete downwardmovement of the plunger, the lever 29 carries a ratchet tooth guard comprising an arcuate leaf spring 42 posltioned-ad]acent to the rack 36 and between it and the free end of the le-' ver. This spring 42 is arranged toresiliently bear against a cam portion 23 located at the far extremity of the rack 36 sothat, as the wing ll rides off of the last tooth of the rack and on to the cam 43, the wing ll will pass on said cam beneath the end of the time the wings 41 will have cleared the lower end of the spring 42 and will,'therefore,drop hack in operative position upon the rack 36.- The spring 42 maybe securedto thelever 29in any convenient manner, suchas byproviding it with laterally extending atta J ngtlange 4A.

beneath the magazine support 6. The stylus holder as shown inv Fig. eoomprises a .bloclr 4:5 pivotally mountedin the usual manner between ears 456; carried b-y-the sound box. The block .45 carries the usual diaphragm aic-g tuating lever 47, said' lever being carried ,over

the disc 5 and through a conveniently arranged aperture 48 therein into operative gagement with the diaphragm.- Y i be provided with a second needle receiving disposition of the lever 47 makes possible the central -'locationof the needle slot or channel 16a in -the block 45. The needle slot 16a extends vertically from the block .45 and; opens, throughout its length, through the front face of the block 45. i A stylus clamping'block 50 is positioned in the needle slot ltimsaid block extending from the forward taceof the stylus holder. into inoperative relation with the tensioning spring 52. j a

:: Asjshown more clearly in Figs; 3' and 9,

the stylus clampingblock 50 is provided on its rear face with a longitudinal, rounded groove 50a adapted to cooperate with the rounded wall of the needle slot 16a to form a substantially cylindrical needle chamber. The fronttace of the block 50 is provided with a dove tailed notch 53 designed to receive the tensioning spring 52 which, as shown in Fig 3, is secured by screws 51 adjacent its ends to the front face of the stylus holding block 4f. The'block 50 is 'dimensinned so that the bottom wall 54 of the dove tailed notch 53 normally lies above the plane of the front face of the block 45 so that by adyustmentot the screws 51-the spring 52 may be placed under any desired degree of' tension whereby tohold the needles within the slot 16a with ai'iydesired degree offirmness; If desired one or both ends of the spring 51 may be slotted adjacent the screw holes therein to provide for the relative movement betweenthese'parts during adustment. Furthermore, the block 45 may channel and retaining set screw '55 of the us ual type for this purpose of providing a manually operable needle holder to be used in lieu of the automatic needle fitting mechanism herein described.

In operation, assuming a filled magazine 8 has been inserted'in the magazine support 6 so to bring the first needle into alinement' with theplungrer 28 and the needle groove of .the'bloclr 45, the lever 29 is operated torotate the same in a clockwise direction; This movement. due to the engagement between the gear andthe rack 30, functions to depressthe plunger 28. The plunger in its p I downward movement engages the topencl of The needles as theygare ejected from the 'magazine 8 are forced into a stylus holder 16,pivotallymounted upon the sound box,

mediately there eneathu The plunger 28 is of a diameter-slightly less than that, of the needle upon which it operates so that the needle is firmly gripped between the blocks 45 and 50, while theplunger, under the action of the spring is retracted to the position shown in 1, the retraction of the plunger 28 from the arcuate abutment 19 of I p the magazine 8 allowing-the next succeeding It will benoted that the diaphragm oper ating leve'r'? is disposed to one sidejyo'f the central vertical axis of the block 45.{ This Up'onjsubsequent operation of the lever 29 cause: a complete down stroke-ofv the 'plunger,: the ratchet spring 37 will lock in the racki36 to prevent counter-clockwise or retrograde niovementof the lGVGIl and plunger. Thls ensures positive operation of the apparatus and prevents jamming of the needles, due to a; arti-al depression of the plunger.

referably the entire apparatus hereinbefore referred to and mounted within the confines of the disk 5,is enclosedina suitable cover or casing, the latter being provided with an appropriate side slot through which'the operating lever :29 may extend. 7

From the foregoing description it is ap parent that the present invention provides an automatic stylus feeding mechanism 'for' talking machines that is simple and positive in" its operation, easy and economical of manufacture and one wherein means are provided to ensure against amming of the needles in. the magazine or holder.

lnconclusionitfis to be noted that while I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, suchdescription andillustration are for thepurpose of example only and are not to be construed-as defining the limits of my invention, which are to bedetermined from the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my which I claim as new,is:

1. The combination with a sound box ofa invention,

talkingmachine, including a stylus holder,

' of a reciprocable plunger mounted above I the stylus. holder and inalmement therewith,

a stylus magazine positioned between the stylus holder and plunger, and means-to reciprocate the plunger to transfer a stylus from the magazine to the holder, saidmeans including a pivoted lever, a rack carried by the plunger, and a segmental gear carried by the pivoted lever and meshing with the plunger rack. r

The combination with the sound'box of a talking machine, including a'stylus-holder', of a reciprocable plunger mounted above the stylus holder and in alinement therewith, a stylus magazine positioned between V the g 5 plunger and stylus holder, a pivoted lever associated with the plunger, a segmental gear carried-by the lever, a rack carried by the plunger, said rack andgear intermeshing whereby pivotal movement of the-lever causes reciprocation of the 'plungertotransfer a stylus from the'mag'azinetotheholder,

means associated with the lever'to restore the plungeinto a predetermined normal position when theilever: i-sr.eleased,; andsmeansctotrender said .last mentioned means ineffective.

until said fplunger'is Emoved to aipreiletermined position. V I

.3. A: needle feeding-mechanism ifor tmlking machines comprising ;a :base, a needle magazine mounted thereon, aa :reciprocablef plunger operatively associated with .".the magazine, arack carriedby .theplungenand a pivoted operating lever for the "plunger, said lever being provided with a segmental gear arranged to meshwithitheteethofzthe plunger rack, whereby Qoperation of:the,-p'rvotedllevercauses. reciprocation ofthe plunger to eject needles from :the :magazine.

4. A needle feeding :m-echanism for -talking machines,comprising a base, a needle magazine mounted thereon, said magazine being provided -:with an: abutment at its :for-

ward endppenfat ;.top and bottom, reeiprocable plunger mountediabove the: magazine and vin alinement with ,tllGwQPBHlIlgS-aill said abutment, -means to reciprocate the plunger to ejectneedles'from the magazine through the opening 'iin the -.bottom :of "the abutment, said; means including -a rack carried by the plunger, and a pivoted lever mounted adjacent the plunger, said lever.

carrying-a segmentalgear intermeshingwith the plunger :rack whereby'pivotal: movement of the lever causes plunger.

5. A needle :feeding zmecllanism for telking machines, comprising .a base, :-a :needle magazine ;mounted thereon, said magazine being provided with an. abutment: at its forward end open at top and bottom, .a recip- 'rocable plunger mounted *abovethemagazine and-in' alinement with the openings-in-said abutment,-meansrto reciprocate the plunger to, eject needles from the -magazine through the opening in the bottom of the abutment,

and 7 means to successivelymove 5 the needles in the magazine against saidiabutment and intoalinement with the plunger including a follower block: slidingl-y f mounted with respect to the magazineiandinengagement with the needles therein, .a flexiblestrand; at-

tached-to said; blockat one-end and ton roller at the other end, and resilient'means associated with the f-roller'- tending to 'wind {the reciprocation of the.

strand thereon whereby {the follower block needles. r I 7 6. A needle feeding-mechanism for talking is held in resilient iengagement with' the machines including a needle 'magazine hav ing an open front wall, ineans for ejecting the needles :from the magazine, :a magazine support having an openmgin one-.wallgthe opening in the ;maga-zi-ne wall iregistering' with vthe openingin-thewall of the magazine support, and a-springidrawn follower slidingly mounted upon the =m agazine support and engaging the needles in'the'magazine through said registering openings whereby lilo opening in the wall of themagazine, a followerslidingly mounted upon the magazine support and arranged to engage the needles in the magazine through said registering openings, a reciprocable' plunger arranged above the magazine in alinement with the needle stop and operable to eject the needles from themugazine, and resilient means associated with the follower to move the needles successively into engagement with the needle stop.

8. A needle feedin mechanism for talking machines described in claim 7 wherein the resilient means associated with the follower block comprises a spring roller and a flexible strand having one end secured to the roller.

and its other endsecured to the follower block. 7 5

9. A needle feeding'mechanism for talking machines, comprising a needle magazine, a reciprocable plunger operable to eject the needles from the magazine, manual means to move the plunger to ejecting position, automatic means to retract the plunger from such position, and means to render said automatic means ineffective until the plunger has moved to a predetermined position.

10. A needle feeding mechanism for talking machines including a reciprocable plunger operable to successively eject needles from a needle magazine, manual means to move the plunger to ejecting position, means tending to automatically retract the plunger when said manual means is released, and

means rendering said automatic means inef-.

fective until the plunger has been moved to a predetermined position. I

11. A needle feeding mechanism for talking machines described in claim 10, wherein the manual means .for moving the plunger comprises a pivoted lever carrying a segmental gear at one end, and a rack carried by the plunger, said rack and gear intermeshing, and wherein the automatic plunger retracting means comprising a spring associated with the pivoted lever and tensioned to move the lever to elevate theplunger. V

1 A needle feeding mechanism for talk in g machines including a reciprocable plunger operable to successively eject needles from a needle magazine, a rack carried by the plunger, a pivoted lever to operate said plunger, said lever carrying a segmental gear intermeshing with the plunger rack, a spring associated with the lever tending to automatically retract the plunger when the lever is tion. I

released, and a ratchet mechanism'ass'ociated with the lever for lockingthe leveragainst retrograde movement if released, before the plunger 1s moved to a predeterlmnedposi- 13. A needle feeding mechanism for tal-king machines including a reciprocableplung er operable to successively ejectneedles from a needle magazine, a rack 1 carried by the plunger, a pivoted lever for operating the plunger, said lever carrying a segmental gear inter-meshing with'the plunger rack, a spring associated with the lever tending toautomaticallyretract the plunger whenever the'lever 'is released, a ratchet mechanism for locking the lever against retrograde movement if released before the plunger moved tola predetermined os1 t1on and means to render the ratchet mechanism ineffective when the lever is moved to said predetermined position.

14. Aneedle feeding mechanism for talking machines including a reciprocable plunger operable to successively eject needles from a needle magazine, a rack carried by the plunger, a pivoted lever for operating the plunger, said lever carrying-a segmental gear intermeshing with the plunger rack, a spring associated with the lever tending to automatically retract the plunger whenever the lever is released, a ratchet mechanism for locking the lever-against retrograde movement if released before the plunger is moved to a pretermined position, and means to automatically render the ratchet mechanism indetermined position. 7

15. A needle feeding mechanism for talking machines including a reciprocable plungeffective when the lever is moved to said preneedle magazine, a rack carried by the plunger, a pivoted lever for operating the plunger, said lever carrying a -segmental gear intermeshing with the plunger rack, a-spring associated with the lever tending to automatically retract the plunger whenever the lever is released, a rack carried by the lever, a des tent operatively associated with'the rack and functioning to lock the lever against'retrograde movement whenever said lever is released, a cam positioned on the lever adjacent to the rack, and a leaf spring overlying said rack and engaging said cam whereby when the plunger is moved to said predetermined position the detent will pass from the rack onto the cam under the end of the leaf spring,- and thence, when the lever is released for retrograde {movement on to said leaf spring so as to clear the ratchet rack on the retur movement of the lever and plunger.

16. A needle feeding mechanism for talking machines comprising a magazine support, a needle magazinemounted therein, said sup port and magazine having respectively ader operable to successively eject needles from a jacent wall portionsprovided with regisneedles, a track member associated with the magazine support and afollower-slidable upon the track, said follower extending through theregistering openings into 1 engagement with the needles in the magazine,

and means to successively eject needles from the magazine;

1 7. A needle-feeding mechanism for talking A machines-comprising a magazine support,

a needle magazine removablymounted within the magazine support, respectively adjacent walls of the support and magazine being provided with registering openings, theopening in the wall of the magazine support being defined by longitudinally extending flanges, a spring follower slidably mounted upon the flanges and extending into the magazine through the registering openmgs.

and means to successively eject needlesfrom the magazine;

18.- In-aneedle feeding me'chanism ineludingl-a needle magazine, a reeiprocatony plunger; for ejecting needles therefromand 3 means including a pivoted lever for actuating the plunger; the comblnation-with the plunger actuatmgmeans, of means'to 11181118'2, complete stroke of the plunger comprising'a rack associated: with the lever, a spring pressed pawl engaging the *rack anddocking r the lever against' retrograde movement. in intermediate positions of the plunger, a

guard member associated with the rack and:- means to move: the paw-Lclearof the rack and onto the guard: when the lever: has moved the plunger "to the full extent, of-its stroke whereby to release :thelever for-retrogrademovement; v

19 Ina needle feeding. mechanism including a-neeedle-magazine-, a. reciprocatory plunger for ejecting needles: therefromand means-including a pivoted lever for actuating the'plunger; the :combinationwith the plunger-actuatingmeans, of means to insure aacomplete stroke'of the plunger comprising a rackiassociatedwithrthe lever, a: spring pressed pawl engaging tl1e1rack= and looking the lever against retrograde movementin'intermediat'e. positions or" theplunger, a guard memberoverlying the rack, a cammember atnthe' -end of the rack and engageable with the-:pawl tomovethe same from the rack to theguard when the lever is moved to its extreme position whereby to release the lever for retrograde movement; I

l n'testimonywhereof I hereunto affix my signature; L

HUGO A. D ZIEWEGZYNSKI. 

